Neophytos of Docheiariou

Venerable Neophytos of Docheiariou (Athos) is commemorated with his uncle, Venerable Euthymius. The uncle and nephew belonged to the highest Byzantine aristocracy. Venerable Euthymius, while still in the world, was found worthy to be a friend of Venerable Athanasius the Athonite (commemorated on 5 July), and later became a monk and disciple of the great ascetic. For sincere brotherly love, meekness and special zeal in ascetic life, Saint Athanasius appointed him to the office of docheiarios (steward), which the monk Euthymius fulfilled as laid on him by God Himself.

With a few monks Saint Euthymius settled at Daphne (on Athos), where he founded a monastery in the name of Saint Nicholas, called by him Docheiariou in memory of his obedience. Instructing his small brotherhood, Euthymius taught the need of deep attention to oneself and to all the movements of the soul, explaining that the warfare of Christians, according to the Apostle Paul, is not "against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age" (Ephesians 6:12). The peaceful ascetic life of the monks was disturbed by the Saracens. The venerable one led the whole brotherhood into the forest. Returning, the monks found the monastery razed to the ground. Venerable Euthymius did not lose heart, and the monastery was built again.

Venerable Neophytos, in the world a close associate of the emperor Nikephoros Phokas (963-969), came after his parents' death to Athos, where he received tonsure in the monastery of his uncle, Venerable Euthymius. Before his death Saint Euthymius left the direction of the monastery to his nephew. Under the spiritual guidance of Venerable Neophytos the small monastery grew until it became a lavra. Proposing to the emperor Nikephoros to be patron of the monastery, he enlarged the monastery to the present size of Docheiariou. Venerable Neophytos was elected protos (head of the protaton, the council of elders of the Holy Mountain) and laboured there many years. After being relieved of the protaton because of old age, the venerable one returned to the Docheiariou monastery, where he reposed in peace to the Lord (in the tenth century). He is commemorated on 4 July, a movable day, with the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Athos, in the new style.